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2.Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

J. A. GUEST.

DESK.

No. 270,895. Patented Ja. 11. 23, 1883.

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. MI@ Harney (No Model.) v 2 Sheets--Sheet 2. Y J. GUEST.

DESK.

No. 270,895. Patented Ja,11,23, 1883. 7i@ -7 lTVITJV'ESSES INVENTOR f radezeg /zze',

.Httorney UNlTED STATES PATENT EEICE.

JAMES A. GUEST, OF BURLINGTON', IOWA.

DESK. e

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 2'70,895, dated J'anuary'23, 1883. Application filed. March f2, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Beit known that I, JAMES A. GUEsr, a native-born citizen of the -United States, residing at Burlington, in the countyof Des Moines and v Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, in the line wx in Fig. I.

Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are detail elevations and sections, hereinafter referred to. Fig.7 is a horizontal section on line a z of Fig. 8.

Fig. 8 is au elevation of the desks, showing the cases in position for passing over the polygonal wheels.

Referring to the drawings by letters, the same letter indicating the same part in the different figures, letter A represents a desk, which maybe constructed as shown or in any desired manner. As shown itis provided with surfaces c, on which writing or other work may be performed, and with central higher parts, a', which contain receptacles for books, papers, or other articles.

From and between the parts a a a frame, B, projects upwardly, for purposes hereinafter described. Ihe frame B is stayed by transverse bars b. As shown, the parts a extend outward in front and rear of the frame B, as shown at Fig.2, to form what may be termed a double desk, each one of which has two surfaces, a, as shown in elevation at Fig. l.

C is a shaft extending outward at both ends through the sides ot' the desk and provided at each outer end with a pulley, c. On each side of the desk, and convenient to a person sitting at either side, a, in front or in rear of the frame B, is a hand-wheel, C', one of which is geared by a belt, c, with the pulley on one end of the shaft (l and the other with the pulley on its other end.

D D are chain-wheels xed on the shaft C, and may be either sprocket-wheels or polyg- 'the rod therein.

onal wheels; but I prefer polygonal wheels of the class shown in the drawings.

E E are chain-wheels journaled at the upper end ofthe frame B, each on a short shaft,

@,Awhich projects inwardly from its adjacent side of the case B in such manner as to leave the space free between said wheels. rlhe wheels E E maybe journaled on or secured to the same shaft; but I prefer to journal them on separate shafts, so as to permit of the use ot' ings 'two methods of hinging. the cases Gr to the chain-belts are shown, the one which I pre- -fer being more plainly shown at Figs. 4 and 6 and the other, shown at Fig. 5, being a modification thereot'. Y

H is a rod extending across the top or near the top of case G, and loosely through a bracket, g, at each side of said case. The projecting ends ot' the rod H are inserted respectively in holes in -the adjacent chain-belts F loosely, so that they may permit rotation of The rods H are held in place by spring'catches h, which are seated in recesses hin said rods,and engage with notches f in the chain-belt, as shown at Fig. 4. By pressing down the spring-catch h the rod H may be withdrawn to remove its connected case Gr, or for any other purpose.

At Fig. 5 brackets I are shown attached one to each side ot' a case', G, at or near the upper side ot' said case, with ends t', which are rounded and adapted to journal in the chainbelts, same as the rod H.

The cases G may contain drawersin various numbers, as shown at Figs. l and 5, or they may have hinged sides, as shown at Figs. 1, 3, and 6, or they may be constructed in any Amanner desired, and be adapted to contain any desired articles, and may be furnished with doors, drawers, or other devices on one side only, or on both sides, for use by persons on either the front or rear side of the desk.

J is a catch held by a spring in its normal IOO ` either hand-Wheel C the sha-ft may be rotated position,in contact with a toothed wheel,j, on the shaft C.

K is a foot-treadle, connected by a cord or rod, 7c, with the spring-catch J.

L are bars, against which the cases G rest, to prevent them swinging inward when drawers are thrust into them, and at such other times as required.

The cases G may be supplied with books, papers, or any articles or things desired for by the person or persons using the desk, and the frame B may be made of such height as to contain as many cases G as will be required.

To bring either case G to Within easy reach of the persons at the desk the catch J may be released from the wheelj by pressing with the foot on the treadle K,and then by means of in either direction to drive the chain-belts, so as to bring the desired case or cases G into convenient positions for access thereto, when the foot-treadle may be released to allow the spring-catch to operate and hold the cases as desired. rIhe cases G being suspended at points above their respective centers ot' gravity, Will retain the same upright positions in every part of their paths as Ithey are carried by the chain-belts over the upper chain-wheels and below the lower ones, as plainly shown at Fig. 2.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

onal Wheels D, and provided with gravitating cases G, and adapted to carry said cases into convenient position for access thereto on either side of the desk, in combination With operating mechanism, consisting of shaft C, pulley c, hand-wheel C', and belt c', all substantially as set forth.

2. In a double desk having an upright frame, the endless chain-belts F, passing over polygonal wheels D, and provided With gravitatin g cases G, and adapted to carry said cases into convenient position for access thereto on either side of the desk, in combination with operating mechanism, consisting of shaft C, pulley c, hand-Wheel C', and belt c', and a spring-catch, J, all substantially as set forth.

3. The desk herein described, consisting ot' case A, having double Working-surfaces a a, the raised part a', and upright frame B, in which is arranged an elevator with gravitating cases G, having suitable brackets for pivoting them tothe elevator-chain, and operated by mechanism as herein described, With the spring-catch J and foot-treadle K, all arranged substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereofI affix my signature in presence-ot` two witnesses.

JAMES A. GUEST.

Witnesses:

JOHN G. MINTON, A. T. TURNER. 

